Photo overlooking the city of Oxford, showing fields and trees in the background and rooftops in the foreground.

Life in Oxford

Life in Oxford

You will be a part of the history of one of the most famous university cities in the world. Oxford is a major tourist destination for good reason, but it’s not just a feast for the eyes. It’s also a bustling cosmopolitan city with great shopping and entertainment, and only a short distance from London.

Main body

Royal Blenheim is on the corner of a street, with tudor style architecture.

Eating and drinking

Enjoy a wide range of places to eat and drink: restaurants, tapas bars, wine bars, independent pubs and bars with live music, tea shops and coffee houses. Try The Varsity Club for some unique views of Oxford from its rooftop bar.

A lady playing the violin outside.

Festivals

Oxford plays host to a diverse range of events: you shouldn’t miss out on Cowley Road Carnival, Oxford Pride and Parade, Oxford Literary Festival, food events and many music events.

Exterior of Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Museums

Wander around the wonderfully quirky Pitt Rivers Museum or spend some time in the Ashmolean, Oxford University's Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Art and Archaeology showcasing fascinating collections from around the globe.

A range of colourful boats on the river while one is being punted up the river.

Punting

See Oxford the traditional way: in a punt. Have a go at this age-old tradition and have fun spying new corners of Oxford from the water. Why not drop into a riverside pub or enjoy a picnic on the banks of the Cherwell?

The sun is shining through green trees in a park.

Outdoors

It’s easy to escape the hustle and bustle of Oxford: enjoy over 50 parks, gardens, meadows and reserves, not to mention the canal and the Thames and Cherwell rivers. Visit University Parks or watch the sun set from South Park.

Rows of red seats in a cinema.

Cinema and theatre

Catch a movie at a cinema with a difference: the Ultimate Picture Palace and the Phoenix Picturehouse are both small and cosy local cinemas, showing both indie and popular films. Make sure you get your student discount.

You can also get discounts at two major city theatres, the Oxford Playhouse and the New Theatre. You can catch stage plays, musicals, shows, and music performances throughout the year.

Rows of bikes parked on the side of the road with shops and buildings in the background.

Shopping

You will find all the major high street names in Oxford, and can enjoy the latest shopping and entertainment experience at the Westgate Oxford. Oxford also has lots of unique independent shops and the world-famous Covered Market.

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